One View on Why Illegal Music Sharing is OK

Robin Pecknold, of the band Fleet Foxes shares his views on the state of the music scene with the BBC. He believes that the rise of illegal downloading has been good for music, helping to inspire and inform creative new acts.

Pecknold explains:

“As much music as musicians can hear, that will only make music richer as an artform,”

“I think we’re seeing that now with tons of new bands that are amazing, and are doing way better music now than was being made pre-Napster.”

…I’ve downloaded hundreds and hundreds of records – why would I care if somebody downloads ours? That’s such a petty thing to care about

Pecknold, 23, says his band, one of the success stories of 2008, would have been different had he not had access to Napster and similar music sources while growing up.

“That was how I discovered almost everything when I was a teenager – my dad brought home a modem,” he said.

“That was how I was exposed to almost all of the music that I love to this day, and still that’s the easiest way to find really obscure stuff.

“I’ve discovered so much music through that medium. That will be true of any artist my age, absolutely.”

BBC: “Bands ‘better because of piracy’ “